PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pelle Paniikki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chad Mendes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paniikki comes to the cage accompanied by N'sync - Bye Bye Bye. Mendes comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Steve McQueen kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Pelle Paniikki has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Paniikki
vs
Mendes

165 cm
38
155 lbs
25 - 31 - 0

170 cm
38
146 lbs
44 - 23 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Fast

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 31 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pelle Paniikki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 44 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chad Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Daniel Franklin and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendes takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Paniikki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mendes as he jumps to the side.
Paniikki misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Paniikki shoots in for a takedown but Mendes shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pelle Paniikki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mendes just misses with a punch to the body.
Mendes cracks Paniikki with an open hand slap.
Mendes misses with a low kick.
Mendes misses with a body shot
and Paniikki counters with a series of strikes. Mendes will be more careful next time no doubt.
Paniikki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Paniikki was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Paniikki is defended easily by Mendes.
Paniikki avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mendes has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Paniikki tries for a takedown but Mendes circles away easily
and Mendes counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Mendes misses.
Mendes missing with a left hand there. Paniikki was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Paniikki will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Paniikki closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Mendes quickly recovers to half guard.
Paniikki wants to pass to mount but Mendes is defending the position.

Paniikki is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mendes sees it coming and defends easily.

Paniikki is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mendes doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Paniikki.

Paniikki wants to work for an arm triangle but Mendes is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paniikki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Paniikki is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Paniikki is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Mendes is trying to stand back up but Paniikki is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paniikki wants to free his trapped foot but Mendes is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Paniikki is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Paniikki is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mendes defends it well.
Mendes is trying to stand up here but Paniikki is controlling him well.

Paniikki is working for a kimura but Mendes is defending it quite comfortably.

Paniikki is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mendes is just riding it out for now. Paniikki eventually gives up the hold.
Mendes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Paniikki. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Mendes tries to kick Paniikki off but Paniikki keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Mendes throws a shot from downtown. Paniikki moves away and avoids it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Paniikki shoots in looking for a takedown but Mendes manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Paniikki's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Paniikki will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Paniikki misses with a takedown attempt - Mendes sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Pelle Paniikki will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mendes jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mendes fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Paniikki looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Chad Mendes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Paniikki.
Paniikki shoots for a double leg takedown but Mendes sprawls well. He's pushed Paniikki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mendes throws a nice looking combination but Paniikki bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Paniikki dives in and grabs Mendes's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mendes pushes down on Paniikki's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pelle Paniikki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mendes throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mendes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Paniikki manages to avoid it.
Paniikki feinted with a counter takedown.
Paniikki looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mendes is fending him off so far but Paniikki persists. Nope, Mendes circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mendes throws a leg kick that misses.
Paniikki fails to land the takedown.
Chad Mendes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Paniikki closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Mendes's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paniikki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mendes swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Mendes wriggles free and stands up.
Paniikki fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
It seemed like Mendes was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mendes scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Paniikki doesn't seem bothered though.
A telegraphed right hand from Mendes misses the target.
Mendes looks to score with a jab to the body but Paniikki is just out of range.
Mendes throws a lazy right hand but Paniikki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mendes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Paniikki shoots in but no luck this time.
Paniikki walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes swings for the body but Paniikki moves out of range.
Mendes throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mendes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Paniikki was well out of range. Poor timing from Mendes.
Paniikki wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Mendes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Paniikki was well out of range. Poor timing from Mendes.
Paniikki is looking to counter the offense by Mendes and move into the clinch.

Paniikki shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Mendes's guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Paniikki tries to free his leg and advance position but Mendes is retaining full guard.

Paniikki has gone for a leg lock! Mendes slips out almost immediately though and dives into Paniikki's guard.

Paniikki is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Paniikki has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mendes can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paniikki has his foot on Mendes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mendes works his way back into a safe position though.

Mendes is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Paniikki has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Mendes is looking to defend but Paniikki has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Mendes! Paniikki pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Mendes taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Pelle Paniikki!